SCREENERS
Mini-SLUMS Screener

Brief Cognitive Impairment Screening Tool

Brief Cognitive Impairment Screening Tool

The Mini-SLUMS Screener is a shortened version of the Saint Louis University Mental Status (SLUMS) examination, designed to provide a rapid screen for possible cognitive impairment. Clinicians administer it verbally and use the BrainCheck platform to document responses, so patients never need to read, type, or hold a device themselves. This makes the screener well suited for phone-based visits and for patients with low literacy or limited comfort with technology.

Delivered through the BrainCheck platform, the Mini-SLUMS Screener typically takes 1–15 minutes, depending on the patient's pace, and supports efficient triage in primary care, geriatrics, and memory care settings.

Benefits include:

  • Verbal administration with digital documentation.
  • Screening over the phone or with patients who have low literacy.
  • Identifies possible cognitive impairment to guide decisions about further evaluation.
  • Supports efficient clinical triage in primary care, geriatrics, and cognitive care settings.

What the Mini-SLUMS Screener Assesses

Memory and recall performance.

Attention and cognitive processing relevant to detecting early impairment.

Orientation and basic cognitive functioning.

Overall cognitive screening result to indicate whether further evaluation is warranted.

Common Clinical Use Cases

  • Initial cognitive concern triage in primary care and Annual Wellness Visits.
  • Geriatrics and memory clinic workflows requiring efficient first-step screening.
  • Supporting medical-necessity decisions before proceeding to BrainCheck Assess.
  • Longitudinal cognitive monitoring over time to detect changes in cognitive status.

On the BrainCheck Platform

  • Administered verbally by the clinician, with responses documented in the BrainCheck Platform for consistent, structured delivery.
  • Integrates with BrainCheck Assess and care planning workflows to support end-to-end cognitive evaluation.
  • Supports longitudinal tracking within the broader BrainCheck cognitive care platform.

Frequently Asked Questions

Key things to know about the Mini-SLUMS Screener

What is the Mini-SLUMS Screener?

The Mini-SLUMS Screener is a shortened version of the SLUMS exam designed to test for possible cognitive impairment. It helps clinicians quickly assess memory and thinking skills and determine whether further evaluation may be needed.

How is the Mini-SLUMS different from the full SLUMS exam?

The Mini-SLUMS is a briefer version of the full SLUMS examination, designed for faster administration while still capturing key cognitive signals. When the Mini-SLUMS indicates possible impairment, the full BrainCheck Assess is recommended for a more comprehensive evaluation.

Is the Mini-SLUMS Screener diagnostic?

No. The Mini-SLUMS is a screening tool, not a diagnostic instrument. Results indicate whether further cognitive testing may be appropriate, not whether a diagnosis of dementia or cognitive impairment exists.

What happens if the Mini-SLUMS results indicate possible impairment?

When Mini-SLUMS results suggest the possibility of cognitive impairment, administering BrainCheck Assess is recommended for a more comprehensive evaluation of cognitive function.

How does administering the Mini-SLUMS through BrainCheck support clinical workflows?

On BrainCheck, the Mini-SLUMS is digitally administered and integrated with BrainCheck Assess and care planning tools, enabling a seamless pathway from initial screening through comprehensive cognitive evaluation within a single platform.

More Clinical Evaluation Tools

BrainCheck offers a broad library of clinical evaluation tools designed to support early identification, risk stratification, and longitudinal monitoring of cognitive health across clinical and research settings.

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